Page 8 of A Scoundrel All the Way
Shakingoff her frustration,Lucyfocused on what she needed to do.Thesun had almost risen, and there wasn’t much time.Sheneeded to find that poor creature and save it. “Charlie,I’mcurious.Arethey planning to use abaggedfox for the hunt?”
Alook of sadness passed over the boy’s face. “Yes, milady.Thepoor creature.Oneof the hunters bagged it on a previous hunt.Usually, they keep it in a small cage outside one of the sheds used by the groundskeeper.It’sthat way, about a mile,” he said, pointing in the direction on the other side of a large pond.
“That’sgood to know.It’sanother placeIshall avoid,”Lucylied, acceptingCharlie’shelp climbing into the side-saddle.Shewhispered a good morning to the mare. “Now,Iknow you’re a trifle skittish,Dollygirl, butIhope you’ll help me in my quest this morning.I’msure you can understand what an important cause this is.Holdingthe reins with confidence, she guidedDollyaway from the stable.Lookingleft and right to ensure no one was watching, she headed toward the groundskeeper’s shed, following the path around the pond.Despitethe distance, it was relatively easy to find.Onceshe arrived, she noticed it appeared empty, and her eyes quickly scanned the area for the fox’s cage.Hearinga faint whimper on the other side of the shed, she dismounted and made her way toward the long wooden cage that stood isolated from the surrounding bushes.
Thefox appeared to be young but sluggish.Wasit ill?Lucywasn’t afraid of animals and always eagerly leaped to the aid of any creature in need.Sheoften assisted with the births of foals and puppies on her father’s estate.Injuredor sick animals seemed to understand she meant no harm.She’dlearned a lot over the years, nursing wounded creatures back to health.Itwas why she was determined to establish her sanctuary.Inthe meantime, she would do what she could to rescue as many animals as she could.Sheslipped her hand through the bars of the cage and gently petted the fox behind the ears. “Ipromise you,Iwill do everything in my power to keep you safe,” she whispered.Thesmall red fox made a soft keening whine, a sound used to signal they wanted attention.
Lucyhad always wanted to become a veterinarian.However, her aspirations of studying at theLondonVeterinaryCollegeand advocating for animal welfare had been thwarted by the prevailing societal norms that prohibited women from attending university.Undeterred,Lucyhad ordered several books over the years about veterinary science and had studied them carefully.
Unlockingthe cage, she gently scooped up the small creature, tucked it into her tapestry satchel, and gave it some berries she had saved from breakfast.Carefulnot to cover up the air holes she had pierced into the bag,Lucysnapped it closed and placed it beneath her cape.Spyinga nearby stool, she placed it beneathDolly. “Now, dearDolly,Ido hope you’ll be still as a mouse asIclimb back up on your regal back.”
Thehorse whinnied in reply.
“Goodgirl!”Steppingup on the stool, she began to hoist herself back into the side saddle.Shedidn’t have much time.Sheneeded to find a place to hide the small fox so she could care for it.Shedid not like the sound of its cries.Thepoor thing could be ill or injured.Theimportant thing was to get away so that she could examine the fox without worrying about being discovered.Thefox hunt would be starting soon, and she didn’t want to be caught near the cage, especially when they discovered the fox was missing.
“Wheredo you think you’re going with that fox?” a deep, commanding voice asked from behind her.
Lucygasped and toppled from the stool in her haste to turn toward the man.
Strongarms reached out and grabbed her before she could fall to the ground. “Thankyou,” she breathed as she looked up, her gaze colliding with the most striking sapphire-blue eyes she’d ever seen.
“Thankyou.”
“Youalready thanked me.”
Sheswallowed as she regarded the man who was staring down at her with a curious expression on his face.Lord, he was tall.Andhandsome.Hiswavy brown hair framed a chiseled jawline.Wasthat a dimple in his chin?Andthose eyes.Theywere piercing in the morning light.Hetook up so much space.She’dnever seen a man that tall before or that broad.ThomasandSlicewere both tall, but this man was even taller.
“Thankyou for your assistance er-um…”Hervoice trailed off as her mind raced.
“Scarborough.”
“Oh!You’rethe newEarlofScarborough.”Shebeamed. “Well, so lovely to meet you, my lord.Iwas just going for a ride and, um, must have gotten turned around.Now, if you’ll excuse me,Ishould be getting back to the manor to join the ladies for tea before all those yummy scones get gobbled up.”Shegiggled.
“You’renot going anywhere,LadyTenet,” he rumbled in that deep voice.
“I’mnot?” she squeaked.Howcan such a beautiful man with such a gorgeous face and such blue eyes have a voice that sounds like thunder?
CHAPTER FOUR
Damn, she was even prettier up close.Herbrown eyes weren’t brown at all, more like the color of brandy—a deep, rich amber.Herskin was like velvety cream.Butit was that mouth that made him catch his breath.Fulllips that curved up into a gorgeous smile.
“Youcan put me down, now,LordScarborough.”
“No,Ican’t.Notuntil you answer a few questions.”
“Putme down andI’llanswer them.”
“No.Becauseyou’ve twisted your ankle.”
“Howdo you know?”Hereyes rounded with surprise.
“BecauseIhave eyes.”Didn’tshe feel her ankle twisting? “Areyou too stubborn to admit it?”Shemay be stubborn, but she fits my hands so perfectly.
“Oh!Myankle?I…Ihadn’t realizedI’dinjured it.”
“Howcould you not realize you injured your ankle?”
“Becauseof you.You’veflustered me with those piercing blue eyes and…and you’re so tall and…and you have that brown wavy hair and those big hands…and…and why are you still holding me?”Shesounded indignant.
